On the 4th of November 2006, an interaction program was organized by the Nepaldalitinfo Network Support Group in Kathmandu. On the occasion, a warm welcome was accorded to the founder of the nework Dr. D.P. Rasali, and a letter of appreciation was handed over to him by the Hon. Minister of Environment, Science & Technology, on behalf of Dalit Welfare Organization. Dr. Rasali was on a short visit to Nepal from Canada after he left for Canada 8 years ago. On his initiation, a nepaldalitinfo yahoogroup was started in May 2003, followed by a website www.nepaldalitinfo.20m.com running as a resourceful site of Nepalese Dalit movement from the same year. More recently, in his coordination, and the support of his wife Ms. Krishna Rasali, Dr. Laurie Vasily and Mr. Sage Radachowsky, a new site with more features and additional resources has been up and running. The site www.nepaldalitinfo.net is now registered in net for 5 years.

The reception program was organized at Hotel Orchid, Tripureswor, Kathmandu, Nepal from 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm. The program was organized in the Chairmanship of Dr. Laurie Vasily – the moderator of nepaldalitinfo yahoo group. Chief Guest of the program was Hon’ Man Bahadur Bishwakarma – the State Minister of Science & Technology, who honored the Special Guest – Dr. Rasali. Coordinator of the World Dignity Forum and a senior Dalit Activist – Mr. Moti Lal Nepali handed over the letter of honor to Hon’ Minister for awarding it to Dr. Rasali. Mr. Om Prakash V.K. – another senior Dalit Activist welcomed all the distinguished guests presenty in the program, while Mr. Pratik Pande – Moderator of nepaldalitinfo yahoo group highlighted the objectives of the program. Whereas, Mr. Hira Vishwakarma – a senior Dalit Activist, who was a key contributor forming this group briefed why and how was this group formed. Dr. Rasali was then given floor to express his words. Then the program was followed by the statement of Hon’ Minister and then the floor was made open for interactions with all the participants. The questions and interests that the members of the group raised was responded by Dr. Rasali. Mr. Suman Poudel – the moderator of this nepaldalitinfo yahoo group expressed his vote of thanks to the participants for their precious time dedicated for this program. And finally, Dr. Laurie Vasily – the Chairperson of the program concluded the program formally after her expressing the assertative views on nepaldalitinfo network.

The program was a grand success with participation of almost 80 Dalit Activists and friends of Dalits. Some other distinguished guests of the program were:

1. Mr. Padma Singh Bishwakarma, Former Chairperson – National Dalit Commission
2. Mr. Hari Gandhari, Former Member Secretary – National Dalit Commission
3. Mr. Shambhu Hajara Paswan, Former Member – National Dalit Commission
4. Mr. Bhakta Bishwakarma, Chairperson – NNDSWO
5. Mr. Man Bahadur B.K., Chairperson – JUP
6. Mr. Rem Bahadur B.K., General Secretary – JMC
7. Mr. Ratna Bahadur Baghchand, Chairperson – LANCAU
8. Mr. Tirtha Bishwakarma, Executive Director – DNF
9. Mr. Chakraman Bishwakarma, General Secretary – DWO
10. Mr. Min Bishwakarma – Nepal Dalit Sangh (D)
11. Dr. Chet Pariyar – Dalit Intellectual
12. Mr. Dal Singh Kami, Central Member – Nepali Congress (D)
13. Ms. Anita Pariyar, Female Dalit Activist
14. Mr. Thakur Baraily, Bishwakarma Ekata Samaj
15. Mr. Tilak Pariyar, EDWON – Nepal
16. Mr. Govinda Pariyar, Journalists
17. Mr. Desh Bahadur Sarki, Lawyer
18. Ms. Mina Sob, Female Dalit Activist
19. Ms. Shanti Burma, Female Dalit Activist

The program concluded that in today’s context, Information Technology (IT) is one of the major means to accelerate Dalit movement. In Dalit movement of 21st century, IT movement is different from traditional movement but plays vital role in addressing Dalits issues, I/nationally.

The program was organized in the financial and technical support of following organizations:

1. DNF
2. LANCAU
3. DWO
4. JUP
5. NNDSWO
6. JMC

Report by:
Pratik Pande

Nepaldalitinfo adds:

The Nepaldalitinfo Interaction Program held in Kathmandu on 4th November was covered widely by media and TV Channels in Kathmandu. The Kantipur TV broadcasted its news in its prime time the same evening and the following morning. The Image Channel TV broadcasted its in-depth report in its weekly feature called ” Image Serophero”; the video clip of the Image Serophero broadcast can now be viewed at: